After participating in the Warriors’ recent in-market mini-camp, free agent swingman Jonathon Simmons has lined up a new deal with the Liaoning Flying Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association, reports Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Simmons, 31, began his NBA career with the Spurs before signing with the Magic in 2017. He was subsequently traded to the Sixers in 2019 and then was acquired and waived by the Wizards during the ’19 offseason.
In four NBA seasons with three teams, Simmons averaged 8.3 PPG and 2.4 RPG with a .443/.317/.756 shooting line in 258 games (20.5 MPG). He had a reputation as a strong defender early in his career in San Antonio, though that rep wavered to some extent in Orlando and Philadelphia.
Simmons attempted to make an NBA comeback in February by joining the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate. That comeback effort was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, but his solid showing at the team’s mini-camp helped him earn an overseas opportunity.
Although Simmons will be heading to China for the 2020/21 season, it seems likely that the CBA season will end well before the NBA’s does, so a return stateside could be a possibility next year. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said last week that he thinks the veteran wing “still has years to offer in the NBA.”